Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - Twelve Boy Scouts from Madison Troop 15 came to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville metals laboratory in Russell Hall to fulfill three metals merit badges, including sheet metal fabrication, blacksmithing and casting. Eight UWP students from the industrial studies department, including Shane Kudela, Andy Ceretto, Doug Eichman, Dale Linder, Jason Kehoe, Daniel Burrie, Phil Kubichka and John Michael Castagna, helped direct the three projects the Boy Scouts completed. Lasting from 9 to 4 p.m., it was a day of learning and exploring.

The sheet metal fabrication project involved making a reflector oven that folds up into a size that could fit inside a backpack. For the casting project, the troop made sand molds in the shape of Dutch ovens and watched as the UWP students poured molten metal into their molds. The Boy Scouts learned blacksmithing skills when they twisted and forged a long handle that was used to open the lid of the finished Dutch oven.

Linder said the Scouts were eager to learn the processes involved in metal casting. "They were really interested. They jumped right into ramming up the sand molds and enjoyed seeing the iron poured," he said. "Seeing the final product after the metal was poured was like magic to them," added Kyle Metzloff, UWP industrial studies professor and uncle to Austin Young, one of the Scouts. Metzloff said the purpose of the day had two parts: to allow the Scouts to earn their badges and to get students at that age exposed to metal-working. "A lot of high schools no longer have foundry programs; schools used to have their own foundry, but now, many don't. The various projects gave students a chance to see the process," explained Linder. "Whether they like metal-working or not is up to them, but at least they will know the opportunity exists," said Metzloff.

He went on to say that even though there is a growing need for electronic skills, metal-casting skills are also needed. Many of the current industry workers are retiring, and these jobs will need to be filled. "There is still a great need for skilled workers in this field. It's a surviving industry. It's also very high tech these days," he said.

Contact: Kyle Metzloff, professor, industrial studies department, (608) 342-1142,metzlofk@uwplatt.edu